About us

Kate Hughes is the founder and director of Cook Academy. She trained at Leith’s School of Food and Wine in London graduating with a Diploma and then went on to gain restaurant experience at various restaurants including Launceston Place in Kensington (head chef Rowley Leigh). Kate then returned to Leith’s to become a senior tutor there. She stills works for Leith’s occasionally, teaching in independent schools that are part of the Leith’s Schools Franchise Scheme. 

Kate was a finalist for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the 2008 Winchester Business Excellence Awards. The award states: "Kate established this successful cookery school in September 2005 after identifying a clear gap in the local market. Cook Academy runs one day cookery workshops, evening class courses, private lessons, cookery parties and corporate team building workshops. Kate's creativity and determination has resulted in continued expansion for this young company. Judges were impressed with Kate's ability to turn a passion into a viable and successful business."